Auto sales continue to rise in U.S.

By Joseph Szczesny, For the Daily Tribune

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Chrysler Group posted its 30th consecutive month of sales gains during September, thanks to growing sales of its 2013 Dodge Dart, while both Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. also reported increased sales for the month.

Ford reported a 4-percent sales increase during September thanks to a surge in sales of its small passenger cars. Toyota, Jaguar, Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen AG also all reported double-digit sales increase for September, underscoring the continuing strength of automobile sales. BMW and Mercedes-Benz also reported sales increases.

“As more buyers look for new vehicles across the country, Ford is ready with our strongest lineup ever of fuel-efficient cars, utilities and full-size pickups,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.

“Fuel economy remains one of the most important features customers want most today, and Ford is answering the call with five vehicles that deliver 40 mpg or better — with another three on the way by year-end,” he said.

GM reported its best September sales since 2008 as it delivered 210,245 vehicles, up 1.5 percent compared with a year ago. New products helped drive a 29-percent increase in passenger car sales, GM officials said.

“Passenger cars have been the launch point for a broad and deep GM product offensive,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president of U.S. sales operations.

“Auto sales will continue to be a bright spot for the U.S. economy, which is particularly good news for GM as we walk into an even stronger cadence of new products in 2013 and 2014.”

Chrysler said the company’s sales increased by 13 percent versus same quarter a year ago, as the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and Fiat brands each post sales increases in September compared with same month a year ago.

Fiat brand sets all-time sales record with 51 percent increase and Dodge brand sales up 18 percent— its best September sales recorded since 2007. Sales of the all-new Dodge Dart were up 72 percent compared with previous month as production ramp up continues at the Belvidere, Ill., assembly plant despite criticism of the slow launch.

“Last month marked our 30th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases and our strongest September in five years,” said Reid Bigland, president and chief executive officer of Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales.

“Going forward with our current product lineup, record-low interest rates and a stable U.S. economy, we remain optimistic about the health of the U.S. new vehicle sales industry and our position in it,” he said.

Bigland said while the Dodge Dart continued its steady monthly sales climb, six Chrysler Group models set sales records in September. The Chrysler 200 and sporty Dodge Avenger mid-size sedans each set records for the month of September. The Avenger achieved its record with a sizable 89 percent sales increase compared with the same month a year ago.

“General Motors had a choppy month with overall sales climbing less than 2 percent from a year ago. Sales of the Chevrolet Cruze zoomed back into 25,000-unit territory where it had been in the months following the Japan earthquake and tsunami last year. And the Sonic had an outstanding month with more than 7,500 sold to put it once again at the top of its class. But Cadillac, despite having two new models on the market, is somehow struggling,” said Michelle Krebs, an analyst for Edmunds.com, a website that track car industry trends.

On the other, Chrysler Group continues to perform well, even “beyond expectations,” she said.